Image Courtesy: NBC 5
College Football Playoff Top 12
1.Ohio State 8-0 (5-0) Big Ten This week: @ Purdue (2-7) (Saturday, 1 PM ET, BTN)
2.Indiana 9-0 (6-0) Big Ten This week: @ Penn State (3-5) (Saturday, 12 PM ET, FOX)
3.Texas A&M 8-0 (5-0) SEC This week: @ 22.Missouri (6-2) (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, ABC)
4.Alabama 7-1 (5-0) SEC This week: LSU (5-3) (Saturday, 7:30 PM ET, ABC)
5.Georgia 7-1 (5-1) SEC This week: @ Mississippi State (5-4) (Saturday, 12 PM ET, ESPN)
6.Ole Miss 8-1 (5-1) SEC This week: The Citadel (4-5) (Saturday, 1 PM ET, ESPN+)
7.BYU 8-0 (5-0) Big 12 This week: @ 8.Texas Tech (8-1) (Saturday, 12 PM ET, ABC)
8.Texas Tech 8-1 (5-1) Big 12 This week: 7.BYU (8-0) (Saturday, 12 PM ET, ABC)
9.Oregon 7-1 (4-1) Big Ten This week: @ 20.Iowa (6-2) (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, CBS)
10.Notre Dame 6-2 Independents This week: Navy (7-1) (Saturday, 7:30 PM ET, NBC)
11.Texas 7-2 (4-1) SEC This week: Off
12.Oklahoma 7-2 (3-2) SEC This week: Off
Projected College Football Playoff Bracket (How the College Football Playoff bracket is seeded)
First Round
Athens
5.Georgia
12.Memphis
Lubbock
8.Texas Tech
9.Oregon
Oxford
6.Ole Miss
11.Virginia
Provo
7.BYU
10.Notre Dame
Quarterfinals
Orange Bowl (Miami Gardens)
4.Alabama
5.Georgia/12.Memphis
Rose Bowl (Pasadena)
1.Ohio State
8.Texas Tech/9.Oregon
Sugar Bowl (New Orleans)
3.Texas A&M
6.Ole Miss/11.Virginia
Cotton Bowl (Arlington)
2.Indiana
7.BYU/10.Notre Dame
Biggest risers and fallers in the AP Top 25 this week (No previous CFP Top 25):
Risers
9.Texas Tech 8-1 (5-1) Big 12 Week 10: #13 (Defeated Kansas State 43-20)
11.Oklahoma 7-2 (3-2) SEC Week 10: #18 (Defeated 14.Tennessee 33-27)
12.Virginia 8-1 (5-0) ACC Week 10: #15 (Defeated California 31-21)
13.Texas 7-2 (4-1) SEC Week 10: #20 (Defeated 9.Vanderbilt 34-31)
17.Utah 7-2 (4-2) Big 12 Week 10: #24 (Defeated 17.Cincinnati 45-14)
22.Memphis 8-1 (4-1) American Week 10: #25 (Defeated Rice 38-14)
Fallers
15.Vanderbilt 7-2 (3-2) SEC Week 10: #9 (Lost to 20.Texas 34-31)
16.Georgia Tech 8-1 (5-1) ACC Week 10: #8 (Lost to NC State 48-36)
18.Miami 6-2 (2-2) ACC Week 10: #10 (Lost to SMU 26-20)
23.Tennessee 6-3 (3-3) SEC Week 10: #14 (Lost to 18.Oklahoma 33-27)
25.Cincinnati 7-2 (5-1) Big 12 Week 10: #17 (Lost to 24.Utah 45-14)
Dropped Out
Houston 7-2 (4-2) Big 12 Week 10: #22 (Lost to West Virginia 45-35)
New
24.Washington 6-2 (3-2) Big Ten Week 10: NR (Off)
Key games this weekend (Rankings based off of CFP Poll)
Friday, November 7
Tulane (6-2) @ Memphis (8-1)
9 PM ET, ESPN
Another huge battle for teams to potentially appear in both the American Conference Championship game and the Group of 5’s spot in the College Football Playoff. Memphis was not ranked in their first edition of the College Football Playoff rankings but the committee has them ranked as the top team in the Group of Five, setting them as the 12-seed in the College Football Playoff projection currently. Tulane is unranked after suffering their second loss of the season to UTSA, 48-26. Both the Tigers’ and Green Wave’s coaches Ryan Silverfield and Jon Sumrall have been listed as potential candidates for the four open SEC jobs but both must have their teams focused for this week’s Friday night battle if they want to come out victorious.
Tulane signal-caller Jake Retzlaff leads the Green Wave in both passing yards (1,622) and rushing yards (513) with 16 combined touchdowns. Retzlaff is joined by a balanced ground attack including Javin Gordon, Arnold Barnes III, and Zuberi Mobley have combined for 913 yards and five scores. Tiger linebackers Sam Brumfield (66 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and 1 interception), DeMarco Ward (48 tackles and 2 interceptions), and Everett Roussaw Jr. (45 tackles, 3 passes defended, 1.5 sacks, and 1 interception) will anchor their defense against Tulane’s quality ground game.
If the Green Wave want to score more through the pass, Retzlaff will have to improve on just seven touchdowns through the air by getting the ball to receivers Omari Haynes, Shazz Preston, and Bryce Bohanon. They all only have one touchdown each on the season so getting to the end zone will be important so they can catch passes from their quarterback. Memphis defensive backs Kamari Wilson (59 tackles, 4 passes defended, and 2 interceptions) and Chris Bracy (54 tackles, 7 passes defended, and 1 interception) will make it challenging for the Green Wave to advance the ball through the air.
Safeties Jack Tchienchou (51 tackles, 2 passes defended, and 1 sack) and Bailey Despanie (47 tackles and 3 passes defended) will make it tough for Memphis quarterback Brendon Lewis to get the ball to his receivers down the field. Like Retzlaff, Lewis leads his team in both passing (1,869) and rushing (562) yards. While Cortez Braham Jr. leads the pack with 632 yards and seven scores for the Tigers’ receiving game, Jamari Hawkins (450 yards) and Marcello Bussey (218 yards) will have to get in the end zone if they want to help Memphis defeat Tulane.
Running backs Sutton Smith and Greg Desrosier Jr., who have combined for almost 1,000 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground. The linebacking trio of Dickson Agu (36 tackles and 1 pass defended), Chris Rodgers (35 tackles and 1 sack), and Sam Howard (31 tackles and 1 sack) will do their best job to stop the Tiger ground game and get in the backfield to sack Brendon Lewis.
If this game was in New Orleans, I would pick Tulane to beat Memphis. But it is in Memphis and the Tigers are 4-0 at home with wins over Arkansas and No. 18 South Florida already this season. Silverfield’s team will move to 9-1 before a trip to East Carolina.
Projected Score: Memphis 35, Tulane 28
Saturday, November 8
7.BYU (8-0) @ 8.Texas Tech (8-1)
12 PM ET, ABC
ESPN’s College GameDay will head to a second consecutive Big 12 destination when they arrive to Lubbock for Saturday’s battle between BYU and Texas Tech, the top two teams in the league. The Cougars come off of a bye after their victory over Iowa State two weeks ago while the Red Raiders went to Manhattan and crushed Kansas State 43-20. The winner of Saturday afternoon’s game should feel confident they will be in Arlington at the Big 12 Championship game but must remained focused with three weeks to go.
BYU is powered by quarterback Bear Bachmeier, who like the first two quarterbacks I have mentioned on this post, is skilled both passing and rushing with the football. Bachmeier has thrown for almost 1,700 yards, 11 touchdowns, rushed for 408 yards, and scored nine more touchdowns on the ground. Bachmeier’s receivers Chase Roberts (591 yards and 4 TDs) and Parker Kingston (516 yards and 4 TDs) will be huge in determining this game if Bachmeier can get them the ball. Texas Tech secondary members Cole Wisnewski (47 tackles, 5 passes defended, and 1 sack) and Brenden Jordan (32 tackles and 1 interception) will look to shut down the BYU passing game to help them get a victory.
Tailback LJ Martin helps Bachmeier on the ground with 789 yards on the ground and five touchdowns through eight games this season. Red Raider linebackers Jacob Rodriguez (74 tackles, 5 passes defended, 2 interceptions, and 1 sack) and Ben Roberts (54 tackles, 4 passes defended, and 1 interception) will be crucial against keep Martin from having a big game so that BYU’s passing offense does not succeed.
After returning from injury against Kansas State, Texas Tech’s Behren Morton threw for 249 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. His top receivers in the victory were Caleb Douglas, who eight passes for 82 yards and two scores, Terrance Carter Jr., who caught four passes for 81 yards, and Reggie Virgil, who caught five balls for 72 yards. Safeties Faletau Sala and Tanner Wall are tremendous secondary pieces for the Cougars. Sala has 53 tackles, two interceptions, two passes defended, and a sack while has 38 stops and two interceptions this season.
Linebacker Jack Kelly (35 tackles and 5 sacks) and defensive end Logan Lutui (35 tackles, 3 passes defended, and 1 interception) will be important in defending against the Texas Tech ground game. Red Raider running back duo Cameron Dickey (746 yards and 10 TDs) and J’Koby Williams (525 yards and 5 TDs) will do their best against Kelly, Lutui, and the rest of the Cougar defensive front on Saturday afternoon.
In what should be college football’s game of the day on Saturday, Texas Tech’s fully healthy offense will give BYU its first loss of the season. The Red Raiders will defeat the Cougars and put themselves in sole possession of first place in the Big 12 with just two games left in the season.
Projected Score: Texas Tech 34, BYU 27
9.Oregon (7-1) @ 20.Iowa (6-2)
3:30 PM ET, CBS
Oregon begins a tough November slate beginning with a trip to Kinnick Stadium to face Iowa. The Ducks’ lone defeat is to Indiana so it will be important for them to beat the Hawkeyes with games against Minnesota, USC, and Washington coming up to finish the season. Iowa has two strong losses as well losing to Iowa State and Indiana by a combined eight points. This Big Ten showdown is full of postseason consequences.
The Ducks’ offense needs a quality game against an always quality Iowa defense. Quarterback Dante Moore has excelled with 19 touchdowns, throwing to a group of five receivers, including Dakorien Moore, Gary Bryant Jr., Malik Benson, Jeremiah McClain, and tight end Kenyon Sadiq. All five have over 200 receiving yards and have combined for 15 scores. Iowa defensive backs Koen Entringer (44 tackles and 2 passes defended) and Zach Lutmer (43 tackles, 4 passes defended, 2 passes defended, and 1 sack) are talented but will have their hands full with Oregon’s pass catching group.
Moore has four running backs next to him that can create big plays. Noah Whittington (433 yards and 4 TDs), Dierre Hill Jr. (357 yards and 3 TDs), Jordan Davison (352 yards and 10 TDs), and running back Jayden Limar (249 yards and 3 TDs) make up one the best rushing groups in the nation. Linebackers Karson Sharar (46 tackles and 1 sack) and Jaden Harrell (33 tackles and 1 sack) will do their part to stop the Duck tailbacks.
Linebackers Bryan Boettcher (63 tackles, 3 passes defended, and 1 interception) and Teitum Tuitoi (35 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 1 interception, and 1 pass defended) each are active in keeping the opposing running game from getting going each week. This time, Boettcher and Tuitoi will lead the Oregon defensive front against Iowa’s run game led by Kamari Moulton (435 yards and 2 TDs), Xavier Williams (249 yards and 3 TDs), and Jaziun Patterson (216 yards).
Quarterback Mark Gronowski has thrown for just 946 yards, four touchdowns, and four interceptions this season. He is more skilled as a runner, going for 313 yards and 11 scores. As a result of Gronowski being more of a rushing quarterback, just four of his targets have caught a touchdown. Defensive backs Aaron Flower (38 tackles, 2 passes defended, and 1 interception) and Dillon Thieneman (37 tackles, 3 passes defended, and 1 interception) will challenge Iowa’s limited passing attack.
The only time Iowa did not score more than 20 points in their last five games was in a loss to No. 2 Indiana on Sept. 27. Now, because the Hawkeyes face their toughest opponent since, the No. 9 Oregon Ducks, they will suffer their third loss of the season. The Ducks win their seventh game of the season by going on the road and defeating Iowa.
Projected Score: Oregon 28, Iowa 24
3.Texas A&M (8-0) @ 22.Missouri (6-2)
3:30 PM ET, ABC
As Texas A&M continues their three-game road trip to Columbia to face Missouri, they must keep the foot on the pedal. The Aggies are known for falling flat in November after success early in the season so a win over the Tigers would be beneficial. But Missouri won’t make it easy, so Texas A&M will have to continue playing successful football.
After being ranked third in this season’s first College Football Playoff rankings, Texas A&M will want to put their foot on the gas against on a Missouri. Quarterback Marcel Reed has been fantastic this season throwing for almost 2,000 yards, 17 touchdowns, rushing for 349 yards, and six more scores. Mario Craver and KC Concepcion are one of the nation’s top receiving duos. Craver has caught 40 passes for 716 yards and four touchdowns and Concepcion has caught 36 balls for 545 yards and seven scores. Missouri safeties Santana Banner (30 tackles and 1 interception) and Jalen Catalon (27 tackles and 1 pass defended) will have to lead their secondary against this tremendous passing game on Saturday afternoon.
The Aggies also have a talented tailback duo in Reuben Owens II (440 yards and 3 TDs) and Le’Veon Moss (389 yards and 6 TDs). Tiger linebackers Josiah Trotter and Khalil Jacobs, who have combined for 79 tackles and 4 sacks, must step up and prevent A&M’s rushing game from setting up Marcel Reed’s passing game.
Texas A&M’s defense must stop Missouri’s back-up signal caller Matt Zollers (213 passing yards and 2 touchdowns) from getting the ball down the field consistently if they want to continue the season undefeated. It starts in the secondary for their defense with safeties Marcus Ratcliffe (44 tackles and 3 passes defended), Dalton Brooks (32 tackles and 1 sack), and cornerback Will Lee (34 tackles and 5 passes defended) against Missouri’s rebuilt receiving core, including Kevin Coleman (558 yards and 1 TD), Marquis Johnson (340 yards and 2 TDs), Joshua Manning (231 yards and 1 TD), Donovan Olugbode (213 yards and 1 TD), and tight end Brett Norfleet (224 yards and 5 TDs)
Missouri running back Ahmad Hardy has been fantastic this season since transferring from ULM, going for 937 yards and 11 touchdowns through eight games. Jamal Roberts (428 yards and 3 touchdowns) has done a terrific job backing Hardy up this season. The Aggies’ defensive front is also talented with linebackers Taurean York (45 tackles, 1 sack, and 1 pass defended), Daymion Sanford (33 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 2 passes defended, and 1 interception), and tackle Albert Regis (30 tackles, 3 passes defended, and 2 sacks) will empower their front against Missouri’s tailbacks.
Missouri starting quarterback Beau Pribula’s being out due to a dislocated angle will be too much for them to be able to beat Texas A&M. The Aggies have to many weapons against the Tigers’ up and down secondary for them to pull an upset. A Texas A&M victory would put them at 9-0 and would have them feeling good that they will be in the SEC Championship game for the first time and that they could be a top two team in the College Football Playoff rankings next Tuesday.
Projected Score: Texas A&M 34, Missouri 20
Navy (7-1) @ 10.Notre Dame (6-2)
7:30 PM ET, NBC
Coming off of a loss to North Texas, Navy must travel to South Bend to face a Notre Dame squad playing its best football at the right time. With a tough schedule remaining, the Midshipmen will try to defeat the Fighting Irish and eliminate them from the College Football Playoff. But winning on the road is not easy so Navy will have to play quality complimentary football to defeat Notre Dame.
Navy must bounce back on offense after only scoring 17 points last week. It will be tough against Notre Dame’s strong defense but it will have to be done with their option offense, headed by quarterback Blake Horvath, who has passed for 1,143 yards and seven touchdowns. Horvath also leads the Midshipmen in rushing with 926 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground. Fighting Irish defensive lineman Boubacar Traore (30 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and 1 FF) will be vital in making Horvath’s night at bad one against his defense.
Horvath’s playmakers include receivers Eli Heidenreich (575 receiving yards, 342 rushing yards and 7 TDs), Brandon Chatman (360 rushing yards, 124 receiving yards, and 2 TDs), and running back Alex Tecza (523 rushing yards and 6 TDs). It will be up to safeties Adon Shuler (44 tackles, 4 passes defended, and 2 interceptions) and Tae Johnson (39 tackles, 3 interceptions, and 3 passes defended) to defend against Navy’s complicated option offense.
First, the Fighting Irish’s group of tailbacks is one of the best in the country. Jeremiyah Love (894 yards) and Jadarian Price (521 yards) have combined for 19 touchdowns through eight games. Defensively, Midshipmen linebackers MarcAnthony Parker (68 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and 1 interception), Luke Pirris (59 tackles, 2 passes defended, 1.5 sacks, and 1 FR), and safety Giuseppe Sessi (50 tackles and 1 FR) will attempt to stop the Notre Dame’s impressive offense.
Quarterback CJ Carr (2,057 yards and 16 TDs) has been one of the nation’s top first year starters. Receivers Jordan Faison (518 yards and 2 TDs), Malachi Fields (400 yards and 3 TDs), Will Pauling (332 yards and 5 TDs), and tight end Eli Raridon (406 yards) help power the Notre Dame offense. Their success will be prevalent against Navy’s defense and getting a victory.
Notre Dame’s defense will hold Navy’s offense under 20 points again, and they will continue their run to a potential second consecutive College Football Playoff appearance. The Midshipmen will lose but will still control their own destiny of potentially making the College Football Playoff by winning the American Conference with South Florida, Memphis, and Navy coming up on the schedule.
Projected Score: Notre Dame 38, Navy 17
LSU (5-3) @ 4.Alabama (7-1)
7:30 PM ET, ABC
Almost two weeks after their head coach Brian Kelly was fired, LSU will face rival Alabama on the road in Tuscaloosa. Interim head coach Frank Wilson has had time to prepare his Tigers for the most important game of the season against the Crimson Tide, but this game may be too hard with Alabama’s success the last seven weeks. Alabama, however, cannot look past this game and focus on potential revenge against No. 11 Oklahoma next weekend if they want to return to the College Football Playoff for the first time since 2024.
LSU’s passing game must get to a different level if they want to defeat Alabama on Saturday night. Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier must build on his 12 touchdown and five interception season by getting the ball to receivers Aaron Anderson (382 yards), Barion Brown (361 yards and 1 TD), Zavion Thomas (267 yards and 3 TDs), and tight end Trey’Dez Green (264 yards and 4 TDs). Alabama’s defensive back Bray Hubbard (39 tackles, 6 passes defended, and 3 interceptions) is one of the top players in the country and it will be hard to move the ball down the field against him.
To set up the passing game, the Tigers must rely on their tailbacks. The duo of Caden Durham (378 yards) and Harlem Berry (225 yards) have combined for just four touchdowns this season. Each one of them may have to get in the end zone if they want to win against the Crimson Tide. Linebackers Justin Jefferson (47 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 passes defended, and 1 interception) and Deontae Lawson (38 tackles and 3 passes defended) will look to shut it down.
After giving up 49 points to Texas A&M two weeks ago, the LSU must at least look improved against an Alabama offense that has looked incredible since its week one loss to Florida State. It will be up to safeties AJ Haulcy (64 tackles, 3 passes defended, and 2 interceptions) and Tamarcus Cooley (43 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 2 passes defended) will have the job of defending against Alabama receivers Germie Bernard (526 yards and 6 TDs), Ryan Williams (495 yards and 3 TDs), and Isaiah Horton (272 yards and 5 TDs). Quarterback Ty Simpson (2,184 yards and 20 TDs) has done a phenomenal job of passing them the ball this season.
Linebackers West Weeks and Davhon Keys have combined for 98 tackles and 2 sacks. They will have the job of defending against the Crimson Tide’s Jam Miller (308 yards and 2 TDs) and Kevin Riley (181 yards) in the backfield.
LSU may stay in the game in the first half, but they will not go to Tuscaloosa and beat Alabama on Saturday night. The Crimson Tide will use a strong offensive performance and their defense will hold the Tigers offense down to just a few scores.
Projected Score: Alabama 34, LSU 17
